International
| Foes challenge the United States on land and sea

by Mindy Belz Posted 6/01/20, 02:33 pm

IRAN: China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran all in recent days carried out provocations, taking advantage of a preoccupied United States—where 100,000 people have died of the coronavirus and six days of protests over racial injustice have activated military and National Guard units in 21 states.

International
| The country attempts to restart its vast economy as COVID-19 cases continue to surge

by Mindy Belz Posted 5/11/20, 05:04 pm

INDIA this week begins a complex process of reopening its vast economy across three zones based on COVID-19 levels, but factory owners and others worry not enough progress has been made as confirmed cases of the coronavirus surge. Plans to gradually restart passenger train service on Tuesday will be an early gauge.

International
| The coronavirus continues to affect lives and livelihoods around the world

by Mindy Belz Posted 5/07/20, 04:52 pm

BRITAINsurpassed Italy on Tuesday in reporting the highest coronavirus death toll in Europe—now at nearly 30,700 fatalities. Look at the faces of the U.K. church singing a blessing over the country during this pandemic.

Onize Ohikere | 3/27/20, 11:08 am

The United States on Thursday indicted Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro and 14 members of his inner circle on corruption, money laundering, and narcoterrorism charges. The U.S. State Department offered a $55 million reward for any information leading to the arrest of Maduro and four others.

International
| Syrian refugees head west into Bulgaria and Greece

Mindy Belz | 3/02/20, 06:12 pm

TURKEY: “Europe will never allow itself to be blackmailed,” said European Commission Vice President Margaritis Schinas after Turkey reneged on a 2016 agreement, and opened its borders to allow Syrian refugees and other migrants to leave the country for Europe.

News analysis
| A momentous week in Washington brings acquittal for Trump, angst for Democrats, and acrimony for many

Jamie Dean | 2/13/20, 01:09 pm

As Patricia Schroeder cooked eggs for her children one morning in 1983, the Democratic congresswoman from Colorado contemplated her non-stick pan and created a moniker for President Ronald Reagan.

In a speech on the House floor, Schroeder called Reagan a “Teflon” president—nothing seemed to stick to him. Schroeder didn’t mean it as a compliment, but the nickname stuck. Admirers of Reagan later said he transcended criticism in part because of his calm demeanor.

Lynde Langdon | 2/12/20, 10:14 am

Cheers and jeers greeted Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó at the airport outside Caracas on Tuesday. He returned after a 23-day international tour that defied a travel ban imposed on him by disputed Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Guaidó, recognized as president by his supporters in Venezuela, the United States, and other Western nations, made stops in South America, Europe, and the United States. U.S.

Mickey McLean | 2/07/20, 11:06 am

Shortly after Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó visited the White House, authorities in his home country rounded up a half dozen American oil executives. Family members said government intelligence officers abruptly took the men, who were previously under house arrest, from their homes Wednesday night. Their whereabouts are unknown.

Onize Ohikere | 1/21/20, 11:57 am

Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó defied a travel ban to attend a three-day counterterrorism summit in Colombia. He met with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday. They discussed how to restore democracy to Venezuela, Pompeo said. The United States and 50 other countries have recognized Guaidó’s presidency since he invoked a constitutional clause in January 2019, but embattled leader Nicolás Maduro has continued to cling to power.

Mindy Belz | 1/06/20, 01:10 pm

IRAQ: The Iraqi Anglican congregation at St. George’s sits next to Baghdad’s Green Zone, where rockets aimed at the U.S. Embassy landed on Sunday, “But with your prayers, we are fine until now,” a church deacon told me. Attendance is down, he said, because authorities have closed three bridges leading to the area since anti-government demonstrations began in September.